Overworked Salisbury teachers say mental health is suffering
Teachers have been out on strike once again today (2nd March)
Last updated 2nd Mar 2023
Teachers on strike in Salisbury today (Thursday 2nd March) have said that their mental health has suffered due to the pressures of daily teaching.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, one teacher on the picket line at Sarum Academy explained how they find themselves worrying more about the things they haven’t done, rather than those they did:
“I know that is a feeling that is felt amongst some of my colleagues, that we are not able to do enough each and every day and it’s because of the pressure that is put on us by how much we are expected to do.”
Teachers are walking out across the South, London and Wales in a row over pay and workloads.
Regional Officer for the National Education Union (NEU) in Wiltshire, Ian Scott, said that historic inflation has left teachers unable to pay bills because pay doesn’t match the rising costs.
He says over the last decade, teachers have suffered a 20% detriment in pay, which has led to many staff finding other careers.
Mr Scott added:
“If society is going to value education, the government needs to value education and we need to make sure teachers are properly rewarded.”
The NEU are hopeful that the government will speak with them next week but the threat of further strikes on 15th and 16th March remains.